Method of tufting and articles therefor



Nov. 2, 1937. A. FRlDoLPH METHOD OF TUFT-ING AND ARTICLES THEREFOR Filed June 8, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet `l Lvxmnwx mVENToR. HNA/UTE //DOL PH NOv. 2, 1937. A, FRlDOLPH 2,098,140

METHOD OF.TUFTING AND ARTICLES THEREFOR Filed June 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m13. fia/Q @2.

HNA/E rrE Fie/00L PH INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY trative disclosure, several' embodiments of my Figures 25, 26 and 27 are diagrammatic VieWS 20 gressing from my inventive idea. Figures 28 and 29 ai@ VieWS in elevation 0i In the drawingsadditional modications of tufting elements and 25 Figure 1 represents a perspective view of one tufiing bU-OHS.

form of tufting element, It has long been standard practice 1n tufting Figure 2 represents a perspective View of anmattresses, upholstery and the like, to use a loop 'other form 0f tufting element or tape or twine and secure buttons, clasps, pleces Figure 3 is a vertical transverse cross section 0f leather and other li'fCieS 130 these 100I S t0 30 taken along-line 3 3 Orf Figure 2 prevent the cutting or tearing of the fabric and Figure 4 is a, Similar cross section Showing a to give a nished and ornamental apipearanceto slightly modified form. the tufting element. The operation of tufting i modified form of tuning button attached to the tufting elements has been slow and tedious and 35 '4:0 Figure 9 is Vertical cross Section taken sub new forms of tufting elements including, if de- 40 Patented Nov. 2, 1937 i i UNiiEDv STATES PATENT oFFicE amiamo METHOD or TUFTING AND ARTICLES 'rnEnEFon Annette Fridolph, New York, N. Y., signor to i A. B. A. Specialties Company, Inc., New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June s, 1931, serial No. 542,799 14 claims. (ci. s-ssei This invention relates to improvements in needle or device used in practicing the method methods of tufting mattresses, upholstery and offthis invention. the like, and articles to be' used for such opera- Figure 16 is a diagrammatic VieW 0f the 00mtions. The principal objects of the invention inpleted article. y e

5 clude a new and improved method whereby the Figure 17 is a vertical cross Section 0f 8 glebuiar 5 tuting operation may be accomplished quickly, form of tufting button showing the tufting elecheaply andexpeditiously, and in which the artiment in the process of being inserted therein. cles used are securely fastened in proper position Figure 18 iS a Side eievailOn Of the COmpiefed t0 give the proper tufting eect and appearance, tuftilig aItCle and element ShOWIl 1n Figure 17.

10 The turting eiement disclosed in this applica- Figure 19 is a side elevation of the tufting 10 tion forms the subject of a divisional application article with another form of7 button, Secured ledOctober 23, 1936, Serial No. 107,122. thereto. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and Figure 20 is an elevation at right angles t0 the e such other objects as may hereinafter appearf view shown in Figure 19. 1-5

15 this invention consists in the method hereinafter Figures 21 and 22 are views similar to Figures described and then sought to be defined in the 19 and 20 of another modification. appended claims, reference being had to the 2,0- Figures 23 and 24 are side elevations of other COmpanying drawings forming a part hereof and forms of tuiting elements with other forms of which show, merely for the purpose of 111115- tufting buttons or articles secured thereto.

invention, it being vexpressly understood, howillustrating the practiceof my method and the ever, that various changes may be made in praouse of tufting articles and buttonssubstantially tice within the scope of the claims without di- SilOWIl in Figures 21 and 22.

Figures 5 and 6 are detailed views Showing a land applying: these ornamental articles to the tufting element, laborious, and has always added materially to Figures 7 and 8 are detailed views showing anthe expense of tuning mattresses upholstery and othe modied form of tuftin butto tta h the like' Y the uftmg element, g' n a" c ed to It is the purpose of this invention to provide sired, ornamental articles'` or heads and which may be used in accordance with my new method, whereby the tufting operation is simplified and cheapened. The result is a much stronger product having long life and wear and which may be stantially on line @-9 of Figure l.

Figure l0 is a perspective View of another form of tufting button. l 43 Figure 11 illustrates in perspective the initial steps in the method of forming another form of varied for purposes of ornamentation and my,

til-filing elementi pearance in many ways.

Figure l2 is a vertical cross section through the The general method of uiting which I have tllfing element and aiiie formed flem the PatS invented comprises the use of a tuiting element 5g sho-wn in Figure l1. which is designated generally by the reference 5@ Figure 13 is a similar cross section of a modied character l, and which has secured or provided y construction. on each end thereof the tuftlng Aiatrtiele 2, .see

Figure 14 is a perspective view of another modi- Figure 16 of the drawings. The structure-oi" this iication of tufting element. tufting Aelement l and the tufting articles 2i and Figure l5 is a perspective view of the tufting various modications thereof will be described later. In Figure 15, I show a needle or tufting device 3 for applying the tufting element in proper position and for accomplishing the tufting operation. This needle is elongated and provided with the sharp point 4, the head or handle 5 and the elongatedl slot or recess 6 in its lower portion. The tufting articles 2 are preferably in the form of a head or shoulder member, and the tufting element I is restricted in cross section with respect to the Width of the tufting article and may be in the form of a twine, tape or even metallic member.

In the practice of my method, the tufting needle 3 is driven entirely through the article being tufted, and the tufting element I placed in the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 15. 'I'he tufting needle is then withdrawn from the article being tufted and the lowermost tufting article or head 2 will engage the underside of the mattress or other article 'I being tufted and when the upper tufting article or head 2 is released it will engage the upper surface of the mattress. Sufcient pressure and tension are used in operation to give the desired tufting appearance as indicated diagrammatically in Figure 16. It is seen by the practice of this method, the application of each tufting element is a simple, single operation and may be accomplished quickly and expeditiously in a minimum amount of time by unskilled labor, and with absolute security.

This method may be utilized with various forms of tufting elements and articles, and attention will first be directed to Figure 1, in which the tufting element is preferably in the form of a tape 8 having the tufting articles or heads 9 at each end. These heads are preferably formed by means of a sta channeled member I which may be made of metal or other suitable material, and in which and around which is clamped and folded the end portion of the tape 8, see Figure 9 particularly. In this form, the tufting head is completely covered by the fabric of the tufting element and the channel shaped stiff member I0 'is permanently and securedly fastened to the tape so that the tufting element and its tufting heads form an integral structure.

'Ihe construction shown in Figure 2 is quite similar to that of Figure 1 with the exception that the tufting head 9 is flattened, the cross section of Figure 3 showing the arrangement of the stiff element III ,and the folded and infolded portions of the tufting element 8.

Figure 4 illustrates an additional variation in which the tufting element 8" is similar and in which the tuftinghead 9" is similar, differing only in the shape of the stiffened member I0" which gives the tufting head a somewhat different appearance.

In the form shownin Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8,

A the tufting element is designated generally by the reference character I I, and to the end thereof is secured a suitable button or head I2. In the form shown in Figures 5 and 6 the end of the tufting element II is inserted'within and secured entirely within the button I2, whereas in the structure shown in Figures 7 and 8 the end of the tufting element I I extends through the button I2. These buttons may be round, rectangular, or in fact of4 various shapes and may be molded or cast upon the tufting elements II or II and suitably ornamented, if desired.

In the form shown in Figure 10, the tufting element is preferably constructed as substantially shown in Figure 1 having the tape or fabric body 8 and the stiifened head 9. This head 9 fits in a suitable recess or opening I3 formed in a button element or member I4, the tape 8 passing entirely therethrough in a restricted opening or slot whereby the head 9 engages the shoulders formed by the restricted opening or slot entering into the recess I3. 'I'his structure, of course, provides for considerable variety from the standpoint of ornamentation and decoration, and has the advantage of ready detachability.

In the forms shown in Figures 11 and l2, the structure is quite similar to that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the most important dierence being that the tufting element I5 is formed of a tube of suitable fabric and into one end of which a piece of metal or other suitable material I 6 is inserted and then bent into the form shown in Figure l2 so that the fabric 2 is infolded within and covers the bent metallic member I8. This forms an integral tight connection which is very strong and of long life, the parts being folded and clamped together.

In the form shown in Figure 13, the tufting element I1 is tubular or two-ply and has the interior stiffening element I8 and the exterior stiffening element I9 which are bent or clamped, as shown, to provide a tufting article or head having an exterior metal surface which may be ornamented and decorated as desired. 'I'he interior and exterior stiffening elements may be provided or formed by using a tubular shaped metal member through which the fabric element II may be passed or threaded before the metal member is bent or clamped thereon. Furthermore, the interior stiifening element I8 may be omitted and the exterior element I9 used alone.

In Figure 14 is shown a further modiilcation in which the fabric tufting element 20 is folded or coiled at its ends, as at 2I, which may be dipped into a suitable liquid or other compound, which, when it hardens provides the stiffened tufting article or head 22 at each end. Or the coiled or folded ends 2I may be stitched one or more times to reinforce and stiften them to form the tufting or fastening article.

In Figures 1'7 and 18, I show a tufting or fastening element, substantially as shown in Figures l and 9, that is, it has the tape or other fabric member 8 and the stiffened tufting or fastening article or head 9. A suitable ornamental button 23 is provided with a slot or opening 24 through which the stiifened head 9 is inserted. This opening is less in diameter than the length of the stiffened head 9, and consequently the latter is securely locked therein when positioned in its normal crosswise position shown in dotted lines in Figure 18.

In Figures 19 and 20, the same structure of tufting or fastening element is utilized, as described in connection with Figures 11 and 18. In this connection the ornamental button 25 is provided with a groove or socket 28 in its underside into which the stiifened tufting or fastening head 9 slidably fits. It is to be understood that the material of the lower portion of this button 25 may be bendable so that the depending flange portions 2'I may be bent to frlctlonally engage the stiffened head 9 and securely hold the same in position.

In Figures 21 and 22, a similar tufting or fastening element is used in connection with an ornamental button 28 which is provided with a ioop aoco, 14o

suitable material depending from the ornamental button ln Figure 28, the tufting element it is in the l form of a suitable exible material having a knot Eil i ton or enlarged knob formed or provided at one or both ends to prevent the withdrawal `ci `the tufting element it from the eye or eyes l2 provided by the loop or loops or hooks 33 of wire or other suitable material depending from the ornamental buttns dd. In Figure 29 the tuftln'gelement dit has a hook member it secured to one or both ends which is adapted to pass through the eye lll' formed by the loop d@ of metal or other suit-a able material depending from button 139.

Figures 25, 2o, and 27 illustrate my method in connection with the structure shown in Figures 2l and 22, The top button 2B is first placed upon the shank of the needle and then the needle passed through the mattress l until slot or recess lis exposed beyond the under surface thereoi. There one ci the sti tuitlng heads of the tuiting element is placed within the slot or recess of the needle and the other stid tuiting head is passed through the loop oi the second but rline tufting needle is, then withdrawn through the mattress l' until the slot or recess is exposed beyond the upper surface thereoi7 and the first mentioned tufting head i3 passes through the loop E@ oi the first mentioned button j 2Q, when it is released and the parts assume the position shown in Figure 27. This merely-@shows the use of ornamental buttons in connection with the practice of my method.

@i course itis obvious that the direction ofthe operation may be reversed, and that the mattress or otherbody being tufted may be moved with the needles stationary or both may be moved durQ ing the tufting operation.

i have referred to the stiifened head'in its Various forms as a tufting or fastening element or article, and it is to be understood that may serve A,generally as a button or other fastening device. rifurtifiermore, the so-called complete tuitlng element may be used as a fastening or connecting element for various purposes, and that the use ci the .button heads or Figures ill and i7 to 29 inciusiv'e, maires provision for a wide range of uses where buttons are necessary or desired :lor either or both fastening or ornamental purposes.

lit is to be expressly understood, that, while i have shown and described a number of uses, modidcations and varieties of these articles of manufacture, there are many other constructions and uses which come within my broad invention and can be used in the practice of my method.

What l claim is:

i. The method of tuting mattresses, upholstery and the like, which includes passing one end of a completely preformed unitary tufting element comprising a flexible body with a substantial tufting,y head connected to each end thereof through the article being tufted by means of a needle or the like While the article is under compression so that said tufting heads will upon. release oi the compressed parts of the article each be caused to automatically engage opposite faces of the article being tufted with the body of the tui-ting element passing through the article being tufted.

2. The method of tufting mattresses, upholstery,` and' the like, employing preformed uniitary tufting elements severally consisting of two heads united by a connecting bond, said bond being under tension in the article when the tufting element is in place with the article compressed between the heads on the ends of the bond, said method comprising automatically attaching an ornamental element such as a button or the like on a head of the tufting element during the placing of said element as follows: placing said button on the shank of a suitable tool, passing said tool y through the article until its forward end projects therefrom, attaching one head of the tuftlng element `to said forward end, rotracting the tool and drawing the attached head through the article and through the button at the same time compressing the article, and then releasing the pressure on the article and releasing the head within a tuiting needle and passing the tufting l needle with the enclosed tufting head entirely through the body of an article being tufted from one tace to the other and at the saine time drawing the exible body after the head, and releasing the held tufting head from the needle when it is beyond the last mentioned face of the article being tufted so that such tufting head engages the last mentioned face of the article be- :lng tufted. I

d. The method of tuting mattresses, upholstery and the lilre, using tuiting element-s severally consisting of two heads permanently connected. by a exible bond or body, the two heads when in normal position being transverse to and irripassable through the hole (rn-ade by the-tool as hereinafter set forth) in the tufted article which receives said exible bond or body, the

methodcomprising connecting one of said tuftlng heads to a pointed'tool in suche. position that it may be passed through the article being tufted, passing said tool with its connected tufting head and bond or body through the article being tufted so as to carry said tufting head completely through the article being tufted and at the same time draw the bond or body through said article being tufted, and releasing said tufting head from the tool so that it may assume its normal position transverse to said hole so that the heads oi the tufting element contact the opposite faces of such article.

5. In the method of tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, the steps of passing one of two heads that are permanently connected by a bonding element to form a complete preformed tufting element completely through the article being tufted while compressing the article, and then releasing the compressed parts of the article so that the heads will be successively `and automatically engaged with the opposite faces of the article being tufted in a single movement of the tuiting element.

6. The method of tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, which comprises penetrating the article being tufted by passing a needle therethrough, attaching one head of a tufting element of suitable length and having a stiffened head connected to each of its ends to the needle and then moving the needle in a reverse direction so that the said one head will be held engaged with the needle by the article during movement of the needle in said reverse direction' and continuing movements of the needle until the said one head is moved entirely through the article and then releasing said one head so that both of the heads will engage and contact the respective opposite faces of the article by the single reverse movement of the needle.

7. The method of tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, which includes employing preformed unitary tufting elements severally consisting of two heads united by a connecting bond, passing a tu'fting needle through thebody of the article being tufted with one of said two heads of the tufting element connected to said needle so as to cause the other of said tufting heads to engage one face of the article being tufted, compressing said article, and releasing the ltufting head connected to the needle when it has passed beyond the outer face of the article being tufted so that the two tufting heads will be caused to engage the opposite faces of the article being tufted by the expansion thereof.

8. A method of the character described for connecting the opposite faces of an article by employing preformed elements severally comprising a flexible bond having a head on each end thereof and one of the heads being elongated and having a normal position transverse to the bond, which comprises holding the elongated head in a needle or pointed tool and moving the needle or tool through such article carrying the elongated head endwise along with the needle or tool through the article and-at the same time drawing the flexible bond after it, and when the elongated head has been passed completely through such article freeing it from the needle or tool to assume its normal position transverse to the bond so that the heads of the preformed element contact the opposite faces of such article.

9. A process for tufting, consisting of arranging tuftings comprising top and bottom elements joined with a band to the correct size for engaging through a mattress, cushion or the like, releasably engaging one of said elements through the back of a needle, passing said needle through the mattress, cushion or the like so that one of said elements is engaged against one face of the mattress, cushion or the`like and Vthe band extends completely through the mattress, cushion and the like, and releasing the element from the needle whereupon it engages against the other face of the mattress, cushion and the likeand the tufting is engaged in place.

10. The method of tufting mattresses, upholstery and the like, which includes employing preformed unitary tufting elements severally comprising two heads united bya connecting bond, securing an auxiliary head member such as a button or the like to one of said heads, moving a portion of a tufting needle through the body of the article being tufted with one of said two heads of the tufting element connected to said needle so as to cause said head member to be positioned adjacent the face ofv the article' being tufted, compressing lsaid article, and releasing the tufting head connected to the needle when it has passed beyond the outer face of the article being tufted and attaching an auxiliary head member to the tufting element adjacent said last named tufting head so that said two auxiliary head members will be caused to engage the opposite faces of the article being tufted by the expansion thereof.

, 11. A process for tufting, consisting of arranging tuftings comprising top and bottom elements joined with a band to the correct size for engaging through a mattress, cushion or the like, releasably engaging one of said elements with a tufting needle, attaching an auxiliary head member such as a button or the like to one of said tuftings adjacent one of said elements, passing said needle through the mattress, cushion' or the like so that said head member is positioned adjacent one face of the mattress, cushion or the like and the band extends completely through the mattress,- cushion or the like, and releasing the element from the needle whereupon it engages against the other face of the mattress, cushion and the like and the tufting is engaged in place.

12. A process for tufting, consisting of arranging tuftings comprising top and bottom elements joined with a band to the correct size for engaging through a mattress, cushion or the like, releasably engaging one of said elements with a tufting needle, attaching an auxiliary head member such as a button or the like to one of said tuftings adjacent one of said elements, passing said needle through the mattress, cushion or the like so that said head member is positioned r 'engaging one 0f said elements with a tufting needle, passing said needle through the article being tufted so that the other of said elements is engaged against one face of the article being tufted and the band extends completely through the article being tufted, releasing said one element from the needle and attaching an auxiliary head member to said tufting adjacent said one element whereupon it engages against the other face of the article being tufted and the tufting is engaged in place. i

14. The method of tufting mattresses, uphol stery andthe like, which includes passing a preformed tufting element through the article being tufted by means of a tool while the article is under compression, the tufting element comprising a flexible bond having a permanent member at each end, the tufting element having one of its end members engaged in said tool with means on the other vfree end of the tufting element to engage one face of the article being tufted, releasing the first-mentioned end of the tufting element after it has passed through the article being tufted and attaching a head element to one of me ends of the tufting element.

ANNE'ITE FRIDOLPH. 

